Lots of Random

Lots to catch up on here.

 

We'll start with school.

Things are starting to click with Ava...specifically in the area of spelling.

This is so exciting because it's giving her another way to communicate. 

At home we are continuing with Art, Science and History. 

The newest member of our home school class...

Little Brother!

He MUST be included in all activities.

Even reading the science book. 

He is very offended if we leave him out of school time. 

I may go through cuteness withdrawals when Ava's baseball season is over.
She is the smallest in size on her team with the biggest heart.
All the parents in the bleachers just die over her sweetness when she comes to bat.
She always looks for Mama and gives me that BIG toothless grin.
This baseball season has been really sweet for her and James' relationship. 
It's their thing.

Our Disneyland passes just expired :-(

Big BOO.

We went on a week day so we could have one last day with no crowds. 

Judson waited by the window with his Minnie and Mickey for Daddy to get home. 

Of course our passes expire just when he is really loving Disneyland.

I'm sure we wont stay away as long as we think.

I listen to our local Christian radio station often and, for weeks, they advertised that Chris Tomlin would be playing locally.
Every time I heard the add, I wanted to go more! 
So, Saturday came and we were busy busy with birthday parties, and baseball games.
On our way from one place to the next, I called my parents house just to ask if they might be able to watch the kids if we went to the concert. 
They are the best! 
My Dad and Sister came up to handle our peanuts so we could enjoy this amazing night of worship!
And we DID enjoy it!
His lyrics are so inspired, so very profound and anointed.
We loved every minute.
God was there and he was glorified!

 

We have successfully weaned Judson off of his binki (in the day time)

It's been tough but he is doing well.

Talking more, playing more. 

He was way too dependent on that thing.

It feels good for all of us to say goodbye to the binki!

 

Marriage Conference 2013

"At every wedding their must be two funerals."  

Doesn't sound super romantic.

This quote was one of many that were impactful for James and I during the marriage conference at our church last weekend.

Dying to ourselves and putting our spouse before us is so important!  

It's a sacrifice and it can be hard work but it is so worth it to feed and nurture our most important human relationship.  

So much time, energy, and focus is on raising our two youngsters right now.

BUT, that is not an excuse or reason to neglect one another.  

It was a true blessing to be able to focus on our marriage and spend time together. 

I love you.

My Little Man

I remember being in shock when the Dr. told me I was having a boy.

I had no experience with little boys.

I only had a sister growing up and was now the mother to a daughter.  

I could never in a million years have imagined  how much in love I would be with this little life.

He is just incredible! 

Can't believe I get to keep him :-)

Room Makeover and Instagram Love

For Ava's Gotcha Home Day this year we decided to make over her bedroom.

We had my parents take her and Judson out for the day while James and I took apart her old room and made some fun changes.  

It was a crazy day for James and I but it was totally worth it.

Ava's reaction was priceless.

She hugged everything and couldn't get over her new bed.  

I will take some pictures of everything with my camera but for now the I-phone photos are the best I've got.

 

It was time to get rid of the comforter and decor we bought for her when she was a toddler.  This is such a cute 7 year old room...so girly and fun.

Life is fun right now.  Busy and chaotic and non stop but so fun!

 

Gotcha HOME Day take 3

It's been three years since Ava has been home with us.

Three years since we touched down in LA and began our life together as a family.

Some parents like to celebrate the day they got through court or the day they took custody, but for us, those days bring back some very painful and anxiety filled memories.

After our first court approval, the decision was overturned and we were sent home without our child.  And so when we passed court the second time, neither of us were jumping for joy.  We were holding our breath until those 15 days were over.

And then, just moments after taking Ava into custody... after a year of fighting for her... we got word that a mother from the United States had returned her adopted son to Russia.  Russia closed it's doors and their was talk to Kazakhstan following along.  Our coordinator assured us that she was our child now and that they couldn't take her from us, but still, we held our breath.

We could finally exhale when those wheels touched down on US soil.  Even in the air, I thought they might turn our plane around and take us back...truly I did.

We brought home a very delayed, under developed, neglected 4 year old.  She only knew Russian.  She only knew life as an orphan.

And now she is a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and friend.  She shines and we thank God for her everyday.  

Making it Work

I love our home.

We are really blessed to live here.

But when our lease came up again this year we looked at houses slightly out of our area in cheaper parts of Southern California.

 The problem (or not the problem) is that we have 2 very important things here that aren't easy to find.

A church and a school for Ava.

Neither of these are easy to replace.  

In fact, they are irreplaceable!

James and I looked for the first 6 years of our marriage for a good church and didn't find one until last year. 

We are not leaving...ever:-)

And our Ava's needs are so unique that we thought having her in private school was never going to be an option.  

We thought that for many reasons.

But God provided a place!

We are not leaving...ever...ha.  

What I mean to say is that the Lord has put things in our life right now that are good.

They are good blessings from him and they are dependent on us living here...in this very expensive part of the country.
 

So if this is where we want to be...if this is where He wants us to be, then let's be here!  

Let's make it work! 

The main thing that I desire in our home is a backyard or some outside space, for Judson especially.

I know it can be done with some creative thinking.  

Pintrest has been my friend.

I wish our bank account would agree with all the redecorating plans I have.

 

We do have a patio that we have made an extended play place.

Who knew how much a little picnic table would add to our patio?  

I wish we had done it earlier b/c he is out there all the time...just because he can be.

We have trucks and chalk and brooms out there...endless fun for a one year old.

Making it work...

 

And then the other day Ava asked to ride her bike and I thought, I am going to put my beach chair out in front of the garage.  I am going to put out our "children at play" sign, I am going to bring out Judson's toys and we are going to play like it's our own back yard. 

And so we did.

And we had fun!  

Lots of it.

Making it work...

 

Easter

Family, candy, bright colors, warm weather, and the reality that Jesus has risen from the dead...conquered death and made a way for us to have eternal life through faith in him!

What can be better than Easter!

 

This is the first Easter when Ava has really "gotten it".

She knows what Easter is about and celebrates that true meaning right along with us.  

Such a blessing to see her worshiping Christ.

Last Easter he was just a baby...not even a year.

Now he's such a little man.

A little man with his binky in at all times. 

This year's basket was very summer themed.

We took the opportunity to fill their baskets with things that they needed like new swimming suits and sand toys.

Ava got some books (her favorite thing)

and Judson got a truck (his favorite thing...other than Mickey Mouse) 

They also got Peter Pan on DVD which they loved but not nearly as much as they loved cuddles with their Papa.

The family egg hunt was a blast as it always is.  

I loved how all the cousins helped each other this year rather than trying to beat each other out. 

The next day we had a spontaneous trip to the SD Zoo because of some bizarre car troubles :-/

The Zoo suits us and our little monkeys well.

 Fearless...I wouldn't touch those things if you paid me :-)

 I wish you could see Judson grabbing and trying to kiss this goat on the face...ewwwww.

Most importantly we were so blessed by both Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.  

Our hearts are full.